Page 19 of Secured By the Buyer

I turn my head on a lump-free pillow, registering the softness of the mattress beneath, like lying on a cloud. My legs move under the fluffy down blanket, the calluses on my heels catching on sheets smoother than anything I’ve ever touched.

Silk?

As I struggle upright, my muscles protest, a dull ache spreading from my hips and up my spine.

What the hell happened?

I lift my arm and a sharp pain flares. Carefully, I prod the tender spot through an unfamiliar button-up pajama shirt. It feels bruised, but I don’t detect a wound. My hand moves to the back of my neck, where gauze catches on my broken fingernails.

Voices drift from another room, rising in volume.

“What was I supposed to do? Just sit back and let him be sold?” The familiar voice fills my aching body with a rush of remembered pleasure, followed by terror as the rest of the night comes flooding back.

My father selling me. The slave auction. The injection that forced me into Heat.

My heart clenches in fear. Is this my new owner’s house?

“…to search for Bugrov, not to pick up a child bride,” another man yells. “We had people in place to track the Alphas who were seen going into the ballroom! He would have been fine.”

“There was no guarantee!”

Panic sweeps over me as they continue arguing, and I take in more of my surroundings, needing to escape before they realize I’m awake.

Beneath me, the massive bed could sleep three or four people with ease. Rich fabrics and dark woodfurniture decorate the room with the kind of luxury only ever displayed on TV.

Everywhere I turn screams wealth.

I push aside the bedding and swing my legs over the side of the mattress. My feet touch the plush carpet just as an Omega enters the room through an archway, carrying a tray laden with food.

A black T-shirt and pants hug his slender frame, and his long, bleach-blond hair hangs loose around his shoulders, with dark roots showing at the top.

His blue eyes regard me with a mix of concern and curiosity as he hurries toward me. “Hey, you’re awake.”

He sets the tray on the nightstand, and the aroma of warm soup and fresh bread wafts through the air, making my stomach growl.

“It’s okay. I understand this is confusing.” He urges me back into bed. “My name’s Jade, and you’re safe. Liam insisted food be ready for you when you woke up.”

“Liam?” I ask, my voice shaky.

The name doesn’t ring a bell. Is he my new owner?

“I’ll let him explain everything.” Jade chuckles, shaking his head. “But first, how are you feeling? Youwere shot with a tranquilizer, so you might be a little nauseous.”

“Tranquilizer?” The muzzle of a gun pointing at me flashes through my mind. “No, I’m not nauseous.”

He gives me an encouraging nod. “Then you should try to eat.”

My attention drifts back to the tray. I force myself to pick up a plate with a piece of crusty bread, using it to block Jade’s view as I slip the fork from the linen napkin up my sleeve.

“Where am I?” I ask, trying to keep my tone steady.

Jade perches on the edge of the mattress. “Do you remember what happened?”

I bite my lip, considering whether to trust this stranger. Is he another slave like me? Or is he in on all of this?

“Everything’s a blank,” I lie, nibbling on the roll, the rough texture scratching my tongue. “I was called down to my manager’s office, and then…nothing.”

“Sounds like you may have blocked the trauma.” Sympathy softens his expression. “Or the mix of drugs in your system caused amnesia. Something to discuss with the doctor when he arrives.”

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